S-Game's Kung Fu Punk action RPG, Phantom Blade Zero, unveiled a 20-minute deep-dive video during the State of Play broadcast on the 18th.

The video featured Soulframe, the director of Phantom Blade Zero and CEO of S-Game, who personally introduced various elements of the game. The broadcast provided a comprehensive look at the game's flow, modes, story, world, combat, and weapons, offering a definitive preview of what players can expect.

Donnie Yen, who appeared at the beginning and end of the video, serves as the game's creative consultant and also provided the face and motion capture for the character Mowan. "Donnie Yen's involvement was one of the most exciting parts of the Phantom Blade Zero development process," said Soulframe. "His encounter with Mowan will lead you into some truly intense moments."

A Unique Kung Fu Punk World: A 66-Day Journey

The protagonist and playable character of Phantom Blade Zero is Soul. Framed for murder and betrayed by his former allies, Soul suffers a fatal wound to his heart during a battle with his sworn brother. Though he is saved by a mysterious healer, he is left with only 66 days to live. During these 66 days, players will traverse a dark martial arts world, the 'Wulin,' and engage in various battles.

Along the way, Soul meets diverse characters, uncovers the truth behind a conspiracy, and searches for a way to survive. The game features a cast of characters and factions typical of martial arts fiction, ranging from those upholding justice to warriors lost to darkness or bound by broken codes. Some side quests even influence the game's progression by opening up new storylines.

From the early stages of development, S-Game defined Phantom Blade Zero as a Kung Fu Punk game. The world blends traditional martial arts with mechanical civilization, combining classic elements reminiscent of the golden age of cinema with steampunk-style machinery, prosthetic limbs, industrial-era debris, and body modification.

The locations encountered in the game reflect this Kung Fu Punk style. Players will explore valleys occupied by bandits, abandoned warehouses bearing traces of suspicious rituals, iron towers built for mysterious experiments, and vast lakes traversed by specialized high-speed vessels.

Phantom Blade Zero features a unique exploration structure. The developers stated that it is neither a typical open world game nor a strictly linear experience that forces players down a predetermined path.

The game features a hand-drawn map in the style of traditional Chinese ink wash paintings. Rather than marking exact destinations, the map provides general directions, encouraging players to explore their surroundings. Each region is connected into a cohesive world, and players can fast-travel between discovered locations.

Exploring and discovering secrets plays a vital role in Phantom Blade Zero. Players can find hidden enemies, side quests, unique treasures, and clues to the story scattered throughout the regions.

Flashy Kung Fu Action and Varied Difficulty

The most distinctive feature of Phantom Blade Zero is its flashy and sophisticated Kung Fu action. The game features over 30 primary weapons and 25 secondary weapons known as 'Phantom Weapons.

Inspired by various martial arts and classic films, each weapon offers a unique combat style. The broadcast showcased several weapons and their associated combat techniques, ranging from a weapon that mimics Drunken boxing—swaying to enhance evasion—to dual blades that allow for seamless transitions between melee and ranged combat.

The weight of the weapons also impacts combat. A flexible sword can pierce an opponent's defense or cut through thread-like projectiles in mid-air. However, light blades are less effective against heavily shielded enemies, where heavy-hitting weapons like hammers or iron fists are required.

Some weapons can be used for ranged combat. The 'Tiger Cannon' can strike distant enemies or detonate self-destructing foes before they get too close. Fire-based weapons are particularly effective when dealing with groups of beast-type enemies.

Weapon upgrades do more than just increase attack power; they add new forms and techniques, allowing players to create distinct combat styles for each weapon. Upgrade materials can be easily recovered and reused on other equipment, allowing players to experiment with different weapons and find what suits them best without penalty.

Phantom Blade Zero offers four difficulty levels: Wayfarer, Pathbreaker, Hellwalker, and 66 Days. Each level does more than just adjust enemy health and attack power; it is designed to provide an action experience tailored to the player's skill level.

Wayfarer is designed for players who want to enjoy the story and cinematic action without pressure. In contrast, Hellwalker significantly enhances enemy responsiveness. Bosses in Hellwalker mode do not simply repeat fixed patterns; they react in real-time based on the player's distance, missed attacks, and repetitive behaviors.

The '66 Days' mode applies the story's time limit as a core gameplay rule. It is unlocked after clearing the game on Pathbreaker or Hellwalker difficulty and grants the player 66 lives. Enemies are as strong as those in Hellwalker mode, and every defeat reduces the remaining time by one day. If time runs out, the game ends.

Phantom Blade Zero, which offers sophisticated Kung Fu, dynamic combat, and a dark, mysterious martial arts world, will be released on PS5 and PC on October 29, 2026.